Irene Saunders: The Willful Widow

June 1988 is the publication date of The Willful Widow by Irene Saunders. This story is about Elizabeth, a widow whose father is trying to push her into another unwanted marriage.

Allan Kass gives us a pensive, tender moment with this cover illustration. I like the quiet feeling here with our couple sitting and not quite embracing. The heroine holds a flower that we hope the hero has given her. We wonder if she's received a proposal? Note the rich detail in the room that Allan creates!

Irene Saunders: Talk of the Town

Talk of the Town was published in August 1991 by Signet for Irene Saunders. Catherine Hayward was in a tight spot with her father gone and the gossips talking about her and her brother. A quick marriage was needed to keep her reputation.

Allan Kass gives us a bridal cover here. In Regency times, it was normal to wear your best dress; not necessarily a white one. Our heroine's dress is a bit modern in style but pretty in a satiny shiny way. I like the family standing in the background!

Irene Saunders: The Reluctant Bride

The Reluctant Bride by Irene Saunders was published by Signet in December 1986 for its regency romance line. Emmaline Grantley was reluctant to wed after the tyranny suffered under her stepfather but Lord Carruther's offer seemed deliverance under the circumstances.

Allan Kass illustrates our couple on a walk in a London park. We see a carriage behind them and the greenness of a cool garden. Both are elegantly dressed and opposite in coloring. It's hard to tell if this is before or after they are married, but it's an attractive cover.

Irene Saunders: A Lucky Lady

A Lucky Lady by Irene Saunders was published by Signet in October 1988. Annette De Jouer was a mysterious lady with a secret. One that was easily kept until she met the Earl of Longworth! As far as I can tell, Saunders wrote only for Signet.

Allan Kass gives us a visual of a scene in this story by the setting of men in a gambling house. It's different and interesting. Our heroine stands out elegantly among the black clad gentlemen and is the focal point of this picture. One thing I admire about Kass is how his women look so different from cover to cover.

Irene Saunders: Lady Lucinde's Locket

Irene Saunders tells the story of Lucinde Coldwell who was a hoyden who played by no one's rules until she met a man who considered propriety a must in a future wife! This book was published by Signet in November 1990.

Allan Kass illustrates our very cute couple in riding habit and we see a glimpse of his talent with animals, too. Our heroine is gorgeous in her black dress with turquoise embellishments. She has a beautiful heart shaped face and perfect features while the hero is young and handsome in a red coat. I'm sure the author was happy with this cover!

Irene Saunders: Laces for a Lady

Laces for a Lady by Irene Saunders was published by Signet in April 1989 for their Signet Regency Romance line. The 1980's was the heyday for regencies with many other publishers jumping on the popularity bandwagon during this time and into the 1990's.

This story is about Leonora Clairmont who played a dangerous game of smuggling with her brother until the handsome Lord Gerard Sinclair shows up and threatens their adventures!

Allan Kass shows our couple near the sea and it's clear that the hero is guarding or saving the heroine. She is pretty in a rose pink gown while the hero is dashing in violet. They are opposite in coloring and probably temperament! The background is lush and hazardous!

Irene Saunders: The Gambler's Daughter

The Gambler's Daughter was published by Signet in January 1990. Irene Saunders writes a story about Sylvia Danville and the steps she'll take to save her twin sister from the gambling folly of their father.

This cover by Allan Kass is one of the enlarged ones. We see the emphasis on the couple and less on the room or setting. I like the heroine's gown and hair, which is very modern, but the hero seems nebulous in face. I wonder if that's the color of the curtains and wall behind him?

Irene Saunders: The Dowager's Dilemma

Irene Saunders wrote 13 books for Signet's Regency Romance line, 9 of which Allan Kass illustrated. The Dowager's Dilemma was published in May 1991 and is the story of Sarah Wyndham, whose late husband's estate is now owned by the obnoxious Jethro Newsome.

Allan Kass illustrates a flirty cover for this book. It's a curious one where the hero doesn't look like a Kass hero and is a bit stockier than his normal figures. The heroine is pretty in purple and her orange shawl matches the rest of this room, which is full of detail.

Irene Saunders: The Difficult Daughter

Back to regencies with Irene Saunders' The Difficult Daughter. This book was published by Signet in February 1992. Rosalind Marshall had to choose between two very different suitors--one good, the other not so good! Hence the title!

Allan Kass gives us a pretty cover with our couple sitting outside on a warm evening near a pond. Both are dressed for a ball or dinner and it's clear that the hero has much to say to the heroine and possibly brought her outside for an proposal! What I like is how Allan always gets the perspective correct, both human and room or building. Note the classical statue nearby and the detail in the garden, bench, and building.